Michigan Lottery Warns Players About Rising Scam Tactics

Michigan Lottery officials are sending out a big warning: scammers are back at it, and they’re getting more aggressive. These fake “lottery win” schemes often ramp up around the holiday season, catching people off guard.

One of the biggest red flags?
Someone reaches out — by text, email, letter, or phone — claiming you’ve won a jackpot you never even entered. In some cases, the scammer pretends to be a generous stranger offering to “split” their winnings if you send money first. They may push for:

• A cashier’s check

• An electronic funds transfer

• Or even an in-person meeting

Another version is even trickier: someone pretending to be a Lottery official tells you you’ve won a big prize — but you must pay a hefty “fee” to claim it. Once you send money, they keep coming back for more, draining victims over time.

The Michigan Lottery is reminding everyone of a few key facts:

• You never pay to claim a prize.

• All prize processing is free.

• You must have a valid winning ticket. No ticket = no winnings.

• Anyone who hasn’t bought a ticket definitely didn’t win anything.

If you’re unsure whether a call or message is real, you can always reach out directly to the Michigan Lottery at 844-917-6325.

And if you think you or someone you know has been targeted, officials say to contact local law enforcement right away.